The new Hyundai i10 wins “AUTOBEST 2014”04 / 04 / 2014

Hyundai i10 was voted “AUTOBEST 2014”. With a total of 854 points, the winner overtook Peugeot 2008 – with only 4 points, the smallest difference in the AUTOBEST history. “This is the first time we find such incredible tight competition between two finalists. Even if two different concepts, both Hyundai i10 and Peugeot 2008 come with plenty of arguments for the end consumer. It was a very difficult mission for the Jury members to choose between the two. Finally, with a minimum difference, i10 won. Hyundai’s entire team of engineers, designers and the great people from Hyundai ASSAN plant in Turkey, who are manufacturing the car with great pride and care, deserve this great victory. Now they can claim to be `The Best Buy Car of Europe in 2014`. Also, the Peugeot team deserves our congratulations for the outstanding job they did for 2008.” stated Mr Ilia Seliktar, AUTOBEST Jury President.

Nissan Note is coming third, with a total of 726 points. With 694 points Chevrolet Trax comes next and Mitsubishi Space Star with 476 points is closing the AUTOBEST 2014 Final 5. “It is probably the most disputed AUTOBEST edition. During the Final 5 drive session on NAVAK Center in Belgrade we all realized how close all the finalists are. It is therefore a great merit to be on the Final 5 list, a very impressive performance.” Seliktar added. (for detailed results, see Final Ranking in www.autobest.org )

“COMPANYBEST 2013” is going to VDA –the German Association for the automotive industry. “This is a first for us, but in line with our new approach strategy. Before, COMPANYBEST award was granted to car manufacturers for their outstanding results. Now, the AUTOBEST Jury members decided to award VDA, a great organization to learn from. Under the leadership of Mr Matthias Wissmann, VDA managed to help the entire German auto industry to succeed not only inside Germany, but also abroad. It is the most successful industry organization we have today.” said Dan Vardie, AUTOBEST organization Chairman.

“SAFETYBEST 2012” award is going to Nissan for the Nissan Safety Shield system introduced on the new Note. It’s the first time such an advanced safety system is coming to a small car, making a relevant step forward in the safety of the cars in this segment.

“TECHNOBEST 2013” award is going to Porsche for the brilliant Active Rear Wheel Steering first introduced on Porsche 911 Turbo. The new system developed in cooperation with ZF ads more agile and direct handling, comfortable and easy driving in daily use, easier to bring the car into limit conditions, increased handling potential on the race track, optimized drivability during high-speed cornering, improved driving stability and confidence, with increased damping and reduced side slip angle.

Team Ukraine racing with Ferrari is the winner of “SPORTBEST 2013” award. The Ukrainian team managed to take to top place for Ferrari Challenge Europe and also first place in GT Sprint International Series. At the pilot level, the team secured a 1st for Ferrari Challenge Europe, Trofeo Pirelli. “We are paying great attention to the motorsport performance reached by teams and people in our AUTOBEST region. This time, we’ve been impressed by the Ukrainian team racing with Ferrari. It is another proof that motorsport performance might come only with full dedication as the entire team has shown us.” Ilia Seliktar said.

“ECOBEST ”, “MANBEST”, “SMARTBEST” and “DESIGNBEST” awards have already been announced after IAA Frankfurt.

In electing the AUTOBEST car winner, the Jury made its decision taking into consideration 13 criteria, each of them counting a specific number of points that reflect a different importance in the final vote of each car. The price, with 50 points out of a total of 240 available to be distributed among the finalists, is the most important. Practical issues, like distribution network, service and spare parts availability, consumption, versatility, mean 20 points each. Other criteria, like new technologies, handling, dynamics, environmental friendly, are also coming to a close examination with specific number of available points. The design – interior and exterior- evaluated with 40 points, becomes more and more important for the clients everywhere in Europe.

The 12th edition of AUTOBEST AWARDS FESTIVITY will take place at the beginning of next year in Warsaw, Poland. Following the tradition, AUTOBEST International Jury grants the awards in a different country every year. Last year, the festivity was held in Athens, Greece.

The AUTOBEST Jury thanks the readers from the region for encouraging the project and the PR responsible in the automotive industry for providing all the support in organizing meetings and drive tests of the new products.